leg length discrepancy
Introduction
Small differences in leg lengths are commonplace. Although all types of ailments have been attributed to small differences in leg lengths there is no actual evidence that differences of around 1 cm cause any problems. This is because children adapt to the differences, and the adaptations are not harmful in themselves
How much is too much?
No-one really knows what amount of leg length difference causes a real problem for a child, or will have later consequences. Most people agree that around 2 cm of difference is noticeable and may cause later problems. SO we don't recommend surgery for differences smaller than that.
We have good ways to project what the difference will be when the child stops growing. Knowing this, we can intervene with simple procedures which slow the growth of the longer leg just enough for the shorter one to catch up. This day surgery procedure is called epiphysiodesis.
For larger differences leg lengthening can be performed. New rounds of technological advances continue to develop in this field making leg lengthening more predictable than ever, and much more tolerable to the child and family. However complications do occur in leg lengthening procedures so that careful consideration needs to be given to these before commencing on a leg lengthening program.